Character Complex Wildfire update for Aug. 1

Character Complex: 7,260 acres

Personnel: 295

Structures Lost: 0

The Character Complex is comprised of the Deceitful and Prichard fires, which are located between Kellogg and Prichard. Northern Rockies Team # 3, Type 2 Incident Management Team (Mike Almas, Incident Commander) has been managing the complex since July 14. Beginning August 2 at 6:00 a.m., Doug Turman’s Type 1 Incident Management Team will begin managing the complex.

Deceitful Fire (5,918 acres, 0% contained): The southeast corner of Deceitful Fire continued to actively push against containment lines Saturday. However, determined firefighters on the ground, aided by aerial resources, were able to catch several spot fires just south of White Peak Ridge. Contingency lines south of these containment efforts are already established should they be necessary. Despite efforts, the fire has spread to the upper end of Carpenter Gulch and Lansdale Creek, necessitating additional preparations for point protection measures in the lower Beaver Creek drainage.

Along the fire’s northern perimeter, the fire continues to slowly burn downhill towards the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River corridor. Sprinkler systems adjacent to the Avista powerline corridor between Graham Creek and Cinnabar Creek are still successfully stopping further fire spread to the north. Saturday, firefighters continued to work along the 620C Road west of the mouth of Cedar Creek, directly attacking one finger of the fire. Crews are staged along the North Fork, Beaver Creek, as well as in Moon and Montgomery gulches to provide structure protection and initial attack as needed.

Prichard Fire (1,342 acres, 75% contained): Previously unburned islands of fuels within the Prichard Fire’s perimeter were apparent again Saturday due to hot, dry conditions. Firefighters continued to secure the perimeter, mop up inward from the perimeter where it is safe to do so, and patrol for potential spot fires that could occur when interior fuels flare up.

Weather and Fuel Conditions: After several days of hot/dry conditions, meteorologists expect monsoonal moisture to move into the area for the next few days, beginning Sunday. Although the moisture will be welcome, firefighters and the public should be alert for the potential of flash flooding, gusty outflow winds, and associated thunderstorms.

Evacuations and Fire Closures: Due to the potential fire behavior and expected weather conditions, residents within the Beaver Creek to Dobson Pass and Coal Creek to Prichard population protection zones remain in evacuation “Set” status. Eagle Creek and West Fork Eagle Creek zones remain in “Ready” status. All area residents should remain alert for changing conditions. For more evacuation information, contact the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office and refer to the InciWeb page.

Road, trail, and area closures are in effect around the fire areas. The North Fork Coeur d’Alene River Road and the Old River Road from Steamboat Ponds to Babin’s Junction are closed to all traffic except for residents, in anticipation that the fire could begin impacting the primary River Road with rolling debris. Additionally, the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office has also closed the Eagle Creek Road, Montgomery Ridge Road, and Bobtail Road at Prichard Creek to non-residents. Closure orders and maps are posted on InciWeb and the USFS Idaho Panhandle National Forests Facebook page.

Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect for Shoshone County and all of northern Idaho.

Special Messages: There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area. For the safety of aerial resources and firefighters on the ground, please do not fly unmanned aircraft (drones) in the fire vicinity. If you fly, we can’t.

For public and firefighter safety, please avoid the fire vicinity, drive with caution, slow down, and use headlights where visibility is reduced by smoke. Recreationists are urged to stay out of the evacuation zones.

Primary and Cooperating Agencies: USFS, IDL, Shoshone County, Shoshone County Sheriff, Prichard/Murray VFD, Stimson Lumber, Molpus Woodlands Group, Avista Utilities, and Bonneville Power Administration.